Latest news with #SaskatchewanRattlers
CTV News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Rattlers drop home opener in record-setting fashion
Regina Watch The Vancouver Bandits set a record in beating the Saskatchewan Rattlers in the CEBL season opener.
Global News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Revamped Saskatchewan Rattlers set to take to the floor for 2025 CEBL season
As the Saskatchewan Rattlers narrow in on the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League season, it's a focus on building for a group which is aiming to end two years of playoff absences. Forward Anthony Tsegakele will be back for a fourth season in Saskatchewan, but hasn't tasted post-season basketball since his first year with the Rattlers in 2022. 'I wouldn't say that maybe we've fallen off,' said Tsegakele. 'I think we just need to keep on building our foundation, being able to grind it out throughout the season and getting those little, gritty wins.' From the last time they left the court in Montreal last July to now, the Rattlers are a much different team both throughout the roster and behind the bench. It's no surprise given how turbulent last season was for the franchise, beginning the year with a 5-2 record to sit first place in the Western Conference. Story continues below advertisement What followed was a mass exodus of their starting lineup with their top-four scorers in Jalen Harris, Elijah Harkless, Grant Basille and Maurice Calhoo all departing the organization for opportunities elsewhere. Despite acquiring reigning CEBL MVP Teddy Allen shortly after, the Rattlers would go on to lose 12 of their final 13 games of the season to tumble into last place in the conference and finish with a 6-14 record. 'Everyone needs to stay professional,' said Tsegakele. 'You never know when a guy might leave, you never know… obviously knock on wood a guy might get injured and then people need to step up. 'I think we saw that with a couple guys last year and I think that's just a mindset that everybody should adapt.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Rattlers did not bring back head coach Larry Abney this summer, instead choosing to promote longtime assistant coach Eric Magdanz who will be making his CEBL head coaching debut. As well, Saskatchewan promoted Rob Lovelace to the role of lead assistant coach alongside associate coach Steve Burrows. 'Yeah it's going to be a little bit different,' said Lovelace. 'You'll see the make up of these guys are a good group of hard-nosed, defensive guys. That's what the team was after this year. They're athletic, just noticed a few of these guys can just really get up and down and really fly around.' Story continues below advertisement 1:47 Saskatchewan Rattlers add three Canada West stars in 2025 CEBL Draft Including Tsegakele, only four Rattlers have returned for the 2025 season from last year's roster with Cody John, Jaden Bediako and Isaac Simon back wearing the green and gold. That's given way for newcomers like Nate Pierre-Louis to make an impact, signed to the roster in the off-season. 'It was one of the only teams this summer that truly believed in me,' said Pierre-Louis. 'I just went where I was loved. I prayed about it and the opportunity came, it was a quick yes. 'I was on board right away.' Pierre-Louis is one of two players who are coming off stints in the NBA G League, suiting up for the South Bay Lakers, Long Island Nets and Iowa Wolves before joining the Rattlers. Story continues below advertisement According to Lovelace, Pierre-Louis has been a welcome addition to the roster and is expecting big performances out of the guard in 2025. 'Nate's been great, defensively,' said Lovelace. 'I'm a defensive guy, so I noticed him right off the get-go defensively and how strong he is. Even the way he's communicating right now with the guys.' Joining a young roster featuring recent Canada West draft picks in Simon, Declan Peterson and Easton Thimm who are finding their footing, Pierre-Louis said his experience will come in handy as he gets used to the intricacies of the CEBL. 'I'm used to a certain level of basketball,' said Pierre-Louis. 'It's different rules up here, but I'm very used to the physicality of how I play. 'I'm very excited for the new challenges ahead.' With their season tipping off on Thursday night, hosting the Vancouver Bandits, a good start will be necessary for the Rattlers to erase the sting of last year's elimination and get back to the playoff picture for the first time in three summers. 'I think we learned that this league is no joke,' said Tsegakele. 'There's talent all across the 10 teams and any given night, the last team in the league can beat you. So you got to come ready every single game, bring your 'A' game and come ready to compete.' Story continues below advertisement The Rattlers will get their 2025 CEBL season underway at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, welcoming the Bandits to SaskTel Centre.
Vancouver Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
On the rebound: Jamir Chaplin, Saskatchewan Rattlers have something to prove
Jamir Chaplin pressed the elevator button upon his arrival with the Saskatchewan Rattlers. His destination? Going up. It was more than just his player agent that attracted Chaplin to the Rattlers and the Canadian Elite Basketball League. 'What really attracted me is that I always wanted to help a program go up, a program that maybe fell off,' offers Chaplin, who spent the 2024 NBA Summer League season with the Milwaukee Bucks before signing an NBA exhibit-10 contract with the Dallas Mavericks. 'I want to come here and help the best that I can. That's what attracted me the most.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Chaplin is on the rebound, and so are the Rattlers after missing the playoffs last season despite an impressive start. 'Yes, I definitely see it as a second chance, to use this as an opportunity to get back into the league that I want,' adds Chaplin, a versatile 6-foot-5 guard/wing who stepped aside from his burgeoning pro career last season due to personal reasons. 'I had a personal matter with me and my family and I took time away from the game.' Chaplin, 24, was born in New Jersey. When he was 11 he moved to Atlanta, where he attended middle school and high school. After high school, he spent four seasons at University of South Florida before wrapping up his NCAA career with the Little Rock Trojans. Chaplin averaged 14.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 33.9 minutes while appearing in all 34 games with University of Arkansas-Little Rock, which finished at the top of the Ohio Valley Conference with a 14-4 record. 'His athleticism, versatility, and toughness will enable him to contribute in a variety of roles,' Barry Rawlyk, the Rattlers general manager and vice-president of basketball operations, said in a statement. 'We are expecting some big things out of him, and he will play a major role in the success of our team this season. We know he is hungry for an opportunity to prove himself, and he will have every opportunity to do so with the Rattlers this season.' Chaplin says Saskatoon has made a good first impression. 'Well, it kind of gave me a resemblance of Little Rock,' he says. 'Everything is a little spacious, big countryside. I had a great feel for the team the first day. The workers here and the coaching staff are very good. I love the game and I love how they're teaching the game, so, overall, it's a great experience.' And his thoughts on the calibre of play and CEBL competition? 'I would say there's a lot of physicality. That's one thing I had seen when I was looking at this league. It's got a nice mix of players here. Overall, I think it's a good league to play in.' Chaplin has a son, Xavier, who is 1, and girlfriend, Zurri. They are based in Toledo, Ohio. 'I'm playing for them, as well,' he is quick to point out. When he's not shooting and dribbling basketballs, Chaplin likes to play video games and lists golf as one of his hobbies. 'I like to golf a little bit,' he says, adding that his game is 'alright.' 'I just starting golfing with my step-dad probably two or three years ago. I'm just getting a feel for the game, but I'm loving it. I can get the ball on the green, but the putts are a little shaky.' He is hoping for smoother strokes on the basketball court with the Rattlers. 'To win a championship is the main goal,' Chaplin says. 'I have some personal goals, certain point averages, rebounds and assists, but I think those will come with the flow of the game. 'Overall, I'm just trying to get this program to a higher (level) than what it was last year.' dzary@ The Saskatoon Star Phoenix has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
CTV News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Saskatchewan Rattlers host training camp in Regina for first time
Kids from the basketball community joined the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Saturday during their training camp held in Regina. (Sierra D'Souza Butts / CTV News)
CBC
24-04-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Rattlers to have entirely homegrown coaching staff this season
Social Sharing The Saskatchewan Rattlers return to the hard court in less than a month, and this year the Canadian Elite Basketball League team will be led by an all-Saskatchewan coaching staff. The homegrown talent includes newly-named head coach Eric Magdanz, originally from Yorkton, assistant coaches Steve Burrows from Regina and Saskatoon's Rob Lovelace. "Basketball across Canada is booming and coaching is kind of at the forefront of that," Magdanz said. "I think we're pretty lucky and fortunate that we get to be a part of that and use this league as a growth opportunity for ourselves." All three have been part of the Rattlers for a number of years. Before Magdanz joined the Rattlers, he spent seven years as head coach of MacEwan University in Edmonton. Burrows has been the head coach of the University of Regina Cougars men's team since 2013. Lovelace starred with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, was an assistant coach there and also was the president of Basketball Saskatchewan board of directors in 2023-24. Magdanz said there's a big difference in coaching in a pro league as opposed to university. "It's what can you do for us now, and what can you do for us over these next 24 games," Magdanz said. "We're dealing with adults. This is their career, this is their profession. So that holds a lot of weight in our decision-making." Rattlers general manager Barry Rawlick said the level of coaching in the province continues to get better. "The depth of the pool of coaches that are able to teach the game well has grown significantly," Rawlick said, adding it also gives the team some stability. "You want to try and build a culture and when you're starting from scratch every year, that's very difficult." Magdanz said coaches from Canada, and Saskatchewan, are making their mark across the world. "The Egyptian national team coach was Canadian, both German national team coaches are Canadian, including our very own Lisa Thomaidis," Magdanz said, referring to the the U of S women's basketball coach who led the Huskies to a national championship this year. He said Briercrest has won the a junior college title, and Humboldt's Paige Cozens represented Canada at the Olympics in three-on-three basketball "So for a province here of a million people, we hold our own very well." Lovelace began as a colour analyst on Rattler broadcasts, but then transitioned to being on the bench coaching a couple of years ago. He credits the people that coached him with helping elevate his skills. "We do a good job through our Basketball Saskatchewan program of getting our coaches trained and wanting to grow the game, grow our coaches," said Lovelace, adding this will this year's edition of the Rattlers will have a different look. "I think we've got a good plan going forward, so I'm excited for it." Magdanz said the focus will be looking after the defensive side of the ball. "We're going to be a defence first team that gets up and down the court and plays hard," Magdanz said.
